Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Mixbook Halloween Party Invitations Review








Mixbook is an online personalized Greeting Cards and Stationary website. They make all types of cards, invitations,  photo books and calendars. Right now is the perfect time to get your Halloween party invitations  made just in time for Halloween!

We had a super cute set of  "Hang with Us" Spider themed Halloween party invitations made for our party. Its a cute and spooky way to invite your friends for a fun time. Its the special touches like a personalized invite that make the holidays fun. I think in the word of text and emails, getting a envelope in the mail with an invitation is a wonderful thing to get for your kids. It shows them they are wanted at a party with friends and family. Plus it will be a good way to remind them to send a Thank You card after attending a party.






*I was not paid or compensated for this post. The opinions in this post are 100% mine and may vary from other opinions. I was provided for free the product pictured for my review.
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Planning for our Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer Sleepover Party #JudyMoodySleepover



We are movie lovers in my house. We are mini critics! I like finding family friendly movies that as a mom I can laugh and my son can enjoy too. This weekend we are hosting a Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer movie viewing sleepover party. We have invited my husbands cousin and his wife and kids and she will be bringing some of her nieces as well as a family friend and his daughter. I am excited to be able to decorate and make food for everyone.

We have been making a party food list for dinner, snacks, dessert, drinks and breakfast! Of course I looked through all my coupons so we can get lots of great deals on the stuff we buy. With my list in hand and coupons we headed to the local FoodsCo down the freeway. We found everything on our list and even other stuff that was not on the list! I confirmed with everyone over the phone the date and time of the Movie Sleepover Party. They are very excited to see Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer. I told them to bring a comfy pillow and their favorite jammies! My son will have his Pillow Pets and his super heroes footed pjs to wear during the movie. Movie nights are a great way to have family fun and connect with your kids on their level. 


Here is some info if your not familiar with the Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer movie:

Judy Moody Website
Rated PG











A  third grader stuck at home while her friends go off to camp and she is determined to make it a summer to remember.










One of my favorite aisles, cereal!

My son loves Kix! We can have a slumber party without cereal for breakfast!

The cart is getting full! I was taking pictures as it filled until my son wanted to get down and I had to hold his hand.

Goodies for our movie party! Pizza, hot dogs, candy, ice cream, soda, chips, beans, cereal and more! Cant wait to get the balloons, streamers and goodie bags out on Saturday!



* I was not paid for this post. I will be hosting the movie party in exchange for the DVD to review and a gift card to purchase party supplies and food.
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Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Planet Earth Special Edition and Planet Earth Limited Collector’s Edition to Blu-ray


I have always loved watching documentaries. I find them fascinating and a great way to learn. We watched this movie the next day after visiting our local zoo. It made it even more fun to watch to point out the animals to my son that we had just seen in person. He said Wow and Cool a lot during the movie. Too cute! I think this DVD collection is a must have for any family to sit down and be amazed by the wonderful world around us. This would make a great holiday gift!


BBC Earth releases Planet Earth Special Edition and Planet Earth Limited Collector’s Edition to Blu-ray and DVD. Arriving in stores on October 4, the blockbuster series looks more beautiful than ever, taking advantage of new advances in high definition technology since the original release. Both the 6-disc Blu-ray and DVD box sets showcase over three hours of fresh bonus materials including a sneak peak at Alastair Fothergill’s next project Frozen Planet, the all-new specially made program Greatest Planet Earth Moments and several other new features. Additionally, the Planet Earth Special Edition Blu-ray contains the eleven production video diaries and the bonus series Planet Earth: the Future, which were not included on the original Blu-ray release. Available only while supplies last, the Planet Earth Limited Collector’s Edition comes in an exquisite, numbered, collectible globe package with an exclusive set of four art cards.



From the makers of The Blue Planet: Seas of Life, Planet Earth premiered on Discovery Channel in 2007 and became a global phenomenon. Featuring the original BBC series presented by Sir David Attenborough, Planet Earth is the #1 selling documentary DVD and #1 selling non-theatrical Blu-ray release of all-time - with over 5 million units in print. The recipient of four Emmy( Awards including Outstanding Nonfiction Series, the groundbreaking series garnered media acclaim including the New York Times hailing it as a “a tour de force…a masterpiece” and the Chicago Tribune lauding it as “an absolutely extraordinary achievement.”





Fueled by a production budget of over $25 million, Planet Earth is the most expensive factual series ever created by the BBC. Five years in the making, the first-ever nature series to be filmed entirely in high definition required over 2000 days in the field and used 40 cameramen who filmed across 200 locations around the globe. Utilizing state-of-the-art filming techniques and technologies - ranging from revolutionary aerial lens stabilization and flash strobe-systems to ultra high-speed cameras - Planet Earth lovingly captures rare action, impossible locations and intimate moments with our planet’s best-loved, wildest and most elusive creatures. From the highest mountains to the deepest rivers, this awe-inspiring series takes viewers on an unforgettable journey through the daily struggle for survival in Earth’s most extreme habitats.




You can purchase this awesome DVD set at BBC America's website.

NEW BLU-RAY AND DVD BONUS FEATURES
Special Sneak Peek at Executive Producer Alastair Fothergill’s next blockbuster project: Frozen Planet
Commentary on select episodes
Greatest Planet Earth Moments – Relive the greatest moments of this revolutionary series and discover how these scenes were captured on film.
Snow Leopard: Beyond the Myth – The BBC Natural History Unit explores a secret cave deep in the mountains of Pakistan where generations of snow leopards return each year to raise their young.
Secrets of the Maya Underworld – The freshwater pools that dot Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula were believed by the Mayans to be portals to the underworld.  For the first time ever, the BBC Natural History Unit explores this incredible, labyrinthine system of underground rivers.
Elephant Nomads of the Namib Desert – Follow the struggle for survival of two female elephants trying to raise their young in one of the harshest climates on Earth.
Music only viewing option



*I was not paid or compensated for this post. The opinions in this post are 100% mine and may vary from other opinions. I was provided for free a copy for my review.
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Sunday, October 9, 2011

Things My Baby Says


My son has been quite the chatter box lately. He now says "yep" when you ask him if he is ready or if he wants something. He says "cool" and "wow" when he is impressed. When he is curious he says "was-is?" If he is mad he says "no way" or "heyyyyy!" When we leave the house he waves and says "Bye Giafe" to say bye to his best friend his stuffed animal giraffe.

The one thing that makes me laugh the most is when he yells my name from across the house. Not Mama or Mom but my first name. He gets that from his Dad calling me from the other room. He can't pronounce it all the way and it sounds like the sweetest thing ever!

I have been waiting to see if the closer it gets to his 2nd birthday if he would start talking more and he really has. Sometimes he will say a word once that I have never heard him say and then he won't say it again. Its funny.

By what names do your kids or grandkids call you?
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Sante Nuts Review



I was a picky eater as a kid but one of the things I always enjoyed eating is nuts. I remember eating the red pistachios in the summer with my family. They were so good! Almonds have always been a favorite of mine too. I have found a new favorite brand of flavored Almonds by Sante Nuts. They make an awesome Garlic Almond that is overwhelmingly good! If your a garlic and spice lover these are perfect for you. I ate the whole bag in one day. I could not stop eating them. They contain garlic, cayenne, black pepper and a dash of pure cane sugar. The sugar makes the intense bold flavors just turned down a notch that your keep eating them and asking why are these sooooo good!



Recently I have discovered how great nuts can be on a salad. I had a salad with candied pecans from Sante Nuts, dried cranberries, spinach, blue cheese and cherry tomatoes. Oh my was it good! The nuts add a great texture and flavor to a salad.





Sante Nuts uses all natural ingredients for their spice recipes and roast the nuts by hand in small batches. They also use a secret family technique that helps the nuts absorb less oil. Less oil means lower in fat, more crunchier, and more nuts in the package since there is less oil per ounce.

For our readers Sante Nuts has created a coupon code so you can save 25% on your online purchase at SanteNuts.com . Use the code 2011-blog-007 during checkout.




The Sante Nuts website has many great recipes to try using their products. I thought this one would make a great dessert for upcoming holiday gatherings.

Walnut Torte with Coffee Whipped Cream
This flourless torte is made with a minimum of ingredients — nothing more than walnuts, eggs, and sugar — then generously coated with coffee-flavored whipped cream.
(Click the link to get the directions on how to make this)

*I was not paid or compensated for this post. The opinions in this post are 100% mine and may vary from other opinions. I was provided for free the products pictured for my review.
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Shabby Apple Dress Review


When it comes to beautiful clothing, jewelry and accessories I find myself wanting most everything from shabby apple. Oh a girl can dream and dream on their website, oh and also start composing her Christmas list as well!! There are so many post baby things I want like this and this, oh and this because it would be cute with some boots for the winter :)

In the meantime while I am cooking baby #3 here, I am shopping in the maternity department at shabby apple. They have some pretty gorgeous things too, like this and this. Shabby apple was kind enough to send me a Two's Company dress from their maternity line for me to show you.



This picture is so blurry but you get the idea, hey I never said I was a model :)



What I like about the Two's Company dress is that it is casual enough to wear with flip flops, dressy enough for heels, or the perfect length to put on some boots and a sweater as it cools down. I liked the feel of how loose it was on my body, not too tight that you could see every detail of my ever growing body. I feel like a "hot mama" in it and what a great feeling that is!

Check out all of shabby apples products like their swim line, accessories and arts and crafts. I promise you will not be disappointed and find yourself wanting MORE!!!


*I was not paid or compensated for this post. The opinions in this post are 100% mine and may vary from other opinions. I was provided for free the dress pictured for my review.
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Saturday, October 8, 2011

First Round of Winners for the Fall in Love with Home Event






Thank you to everyone who entered and Congrats to the winners! The winners have been emailed and confirmed their prizes.

If you didn't win this round there is still time to enter more great giveaways. Tonight is the last night to enter 5 more of the Home Event and we have a few more ending on the 10th.

AeroPress Coffee Maker
Jamie B.

Paper Scissor Rock Glass Magnets
Colleen M.


Be-EcoChic Leather Journal
Jackee S.

Candle Warmers Ect
Cortney C.

Bona Hardwood Floor Mop
Jessica B.
Karen M.
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Tree of Life DVD Review and Photo Contest



Tree of Life with Brad Pitt and Sean Penn is available on DVD October 11th. The film is the 2011 Winner of the 2011 Palme d’Or and the FIPRESCI Grand Prix.

Bring home acclaimed writer/director Terrence Malick’s (Badlands, Days of Heaven, The Thin Red Line, The New World) thought provoking film experience THE TREE OF LIFE, available exclusively on Blu-ray Disc Combo Pack October 11 from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment. THE TREE OF LIFE showcases complicated and haunting powerhouse performances by Academy-Award® nominee Brad Pitt (Fight Club), Academy Award® winner Sean Penn (Milk, Mystic River) and newcomer Jessica Chastain (The Help).



An impressionistic story of a Midwestern family in the 1950's, the film follows the life journey of the eldest son, Jack (played as an adult by Sean Penn), through the innocence of childhood to his disillusioned adult years as he tries to reconcile a complicated relationship with his father (Brad Pitt).



Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment and HitFix has teamed up for a photo contest to win a  Blu-ray DVD copy of the movie and  Canon Rebel camera. You can submit photos of what you envision as nature and grace as one. It sounds like a fun chance to show off your photography skills! You can read more about the contest here. You can email your entry to treeoflife@hitfix.com Contest ends on October 16th 2011




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Thursday, October 6, 2011

Kohl's Clearance Shopping






As a frugal shopper sales and clearance are like bells to me! I follow them to great deals. We recently went to Kohl's to look for clothing for my son. He is getting so tall! They have a bunch of cute stuff on the clearance racks. We went to two of the stores and oddly one had a ton of stuff and the other not so much. He adores dogs so the two shirts were perfect.

For less then $10 my son got two shirts and two shorts. One of the shorts are Chaps that were originally $24.00.

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Winning a Giveaway on FFT



It has come to my attention that someone has sent out a giveaway winning email that is not from any of the moms here at Frugal Family Tree. I am so sorry if this has happened to you and I am unsure why someone would be so mean as to do this. If you are a winner at our website it will be from our personal gmail account and no other account. Do not send your info to a yahoo or hotmail account with our name on it.

Why do people have to be so mean when all we are trying to do is have fun and share our cool giveaways with everyone! =(
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Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Its Raining!






Its raining in California today. I missed the sound of it on the roof top, the way it smells and the way it makes you want to cuddle up to watch a movie. I am having a lazy day drinking coffee and being in my pajamas. I have a to do list a mile long but for now I will sit and listen to the rain, well until my little guy wakes up and the whirlwind of life continues.
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Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Freschetta Proud to Support Pink Pizza Review and Giveaway


To help promote awareness and to help raise money for support Freschetta Pizza is sponsoring a promotion for the month of October. As moms, sisters, daughters or wives we all need to do our part to help one another. This is a simple way to help raise money and feed your family some great tasting pizza!

When you purchase specially-marked FRESCHETTA® products, you’re helping us all reach our goal of donating $50,000 to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Enter your code here and we’ll be $1 closer to finding a cure. Find the PROUD TO SUPPORT PINK® Code on the back of your specially-marked FRESCHETTA® box. Enter it below and we’ll contribute $1 towards finding a cure. It’s as easy as that. And, you’ll be entered in the sweepstakes for an iPod shuffle®*. There are 50 winners each week!

You enter your codes and learn more on the Freschetta Proud to Support Pink website and their facebook page.



Since we are Californians I decided we would try the California style pizzas. I picked the California-Style Mediterranean Garlic Veggie. My son LOVES olives on pizza so this was a great one for him. He loves savory and even spicy flavors. I am impressed with the stuff he loves to eat. I found this pizza to be great! I love garlic in anything. We will definitely be purchasing this pizza in the future.






GIVEAWAY

 

Win two pairs of Pink earphones. One for you to keep and one to give to a friend and you will be winning a coupon for a FREE Freschetta pizza.

To Enter This Giveaway: 

What will you be doing this month to help support October Breast Cancer Awareness month? 

(Many grocery stores are taking donations of change for the cause, every bit adds up!)


 *Leave a comment answering the question and be sure to leave your email address if its not public in your Google account*

Extra Entries: Can be done after leaving a comment for mandatory entry. If the extra entry says 1 extra entry leave 1 comment and 2 extra entries leave me 2 comments and so on. 

Like Freschetta on Facebook +1
Follow Freschetta on Twitter +1

-Follow Frugal Family Tree on GFC ( right hand side) +2

-Like our new fan page on Facebook Frugal Family Tree +1

-Follow FrugalFamTree on Twitter +1

-Share this giveaway on Twitter or Facebook using the Share Button at the bottom on this post. +1 for each share you do. (can be done once a day) This means you have the chance to get 2 extra entries a day.

-Add our button to your blog and leave a link of where it is located +2 (right hand side) 


*Limited to US residents; 18 years old and above. Giveaway starts October 4 , 2011 and ends on October 25, 2011 at midnight PST.  Winner will be emailed and has 48 hours to respond before another winner is selected. I was not paid for this giveaway or post. I was provide the item in this review for free by the company or PR firm representing them. The opinions on this item are 100% mine and may vary from others.

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Pampers Kandoo "Celebrating Kindependence" Contest



We love to share with everyone about our kids and the accomplishments they have. From first words, learning to jump and climb and recently with my nephew going to preschool. As parents is a proud moment to see them grow and learn. Now its your turn to share a story about your children with Pampers Kandoo for a chance to win great prizes.

Families all across the country celebrate Kindependence every day. It’s easy to recognize these little moments of achievement when they come gift-wrapped with a delighted “I can do it myself” attitude. You know the events – sitting on the potty for the first time. Getting into the carseat. Buttering the toast. Setting the table. Sweeping the floor. Putting on jammies or buttoning shorts.

Pampers Kandoo® would like to share in these momentous moments with you - with our “Celebrating Kindependence” Contest (U.S. residents only). Share your story with us for a chance to win.

You can enter the contest HERE.



Some details about the Pampers Kandoo "Celebrating Kindependence" contest:

       • Contest is for U.S. residents only*
       • Participants submit a post (250 words max) on how their child mastered a new task
       • Grand Prize: $500 Gift Card to Amazon.com
       • Ten Runner-Up Prizes: Pampers Kandoo Goodie Box
       • Deadline for entry. Oct. 14, 2011.
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Monday, October 3, 2011

Trudeau Stress Less Kitchen Items Review and Giveaway



As a wife and a mother I like to think that I am this great cook. Sadly I am not, but I am working on it! Any helping hand in the kitchen, besides my 4 year old is a blessing. I am always searching for new gadgets to make cooking easier and less stressful for me. Trudeau is a company that makes Kitchen Gadgets with a Stress Less line that includes a Can Opener, a Cheese Grater, a Pizza Cutter and a Garlic Press. The idea behind the Stress Less Line is that Trudeau has updated and refined basic kitchen tools to provide a "stress" free way to cook. These tools are designed to allow you to prepare meals with greater comfort and ease.




I have to say that I really found the Stress Less Can Opener to be a big improvement from my current one. It was easy to get it attached to the can and with the easy to turn crank for the handle made it a breeze to open up my cans.



Now I have never had a Cheese Grater like the Stress Less Cheese Grater they carry. I always had the kind where you have to grate the cheese into the dome and take it out from there. This is one like at any restaurant you go to where they offer you freshly grated cheese on your meal. We used it for our spaghetti dinner and loved it. I felt so official! I think that my favorite thing about these Stress Free kitchen utensils is that the handle is more of a crank than a handle.
Garlic Press

Pizza Cutter



Trudeau products have been around for years, here is a little "About Us" from their web site-

Trudeau is a leading edge North American marketer and designer of innovative quality products. We are dedicated to creating a unique experience in preparing and serving foods and beverages, at home and on-the-go.

Trudeau Corporation was established in Montreal, Canada, in 1889, as an importer and distributor of high-end specialty goods from around the world, under the name Genin Trudeau. Trudeau Corporation soon developed an extensive distribution network along with a reputation for high-quality products and expert servicing.

In recent years, the company has invested in innovation, design and manufacturers products under the Trudeau brand, as well as several private-label brands for well-known U.S. retailers.


Trudeau also carries super cute Mugs and Bottles , Mills and Spices, and items for your Bar and Home. Check them out.





GIVEAWAY


Win 3 Trudeau Stress Less products like the one I reviewed. (3 Winners each win a set)

To Enter This Giveaway: 

What Stress Less product would you love to win the most?


 *Leave a comment answering the question and be sure to leave your email address if its not public in your Google account*

Extra Entries: Can be done after leaving a comment for mandatory entry. If the extra entry says 1 extra entry leave 1 comment and 2 extra entries leave me 2 comments and so on. 

Like  Trudeau on Facebook +1
Follow Trudeau on Twitter +1


-Follow Frugal Family Tree on GFC ( right hand side) +1

-Like our new fan page on Facebook Frugal Family Tree +1

-Follow FrugalFamTree on Twitter +1

-Share this giveaway on Twitter or Facebook using the Share Button at the bottom on this post. +1 for each share you do. (can be done once a day) This means you have the chance to get 2 extra entries a day.


-Add our button to your blog and leave a link of where it is located +2 (right hand side) 


*Limited to US residents; 18 years old and above. Giveaway starts October 3, 2011 and ends on October 10, 2011 at midnight PST.  Winner will be emailed and has 48 hours to respond before another winner is selected. I was not paid for this giveaway or post. The opinions on this item are 100% mine and may vary from others.

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